RSFAT's Field school projects 2013
Since 2011 the RSFAT offers to the students from all over the world the opportunity to be part of the archaeological work. By now, the program incorporates a research excavation at different sites and is involved in a study of the Roman culture. The RSFAT field school offers a unique combination of fieldwork, on-site instruction by expert archaeologists, and visits to major museums and open-air sites. Participants have the chance to get their minds, hands, and shovels into the material vestiges of some of the most interesting significant sites. Each destination offers field work processing and recording artifacts, different lectures and a visit to near-by archaeological location.
Our practical courses will:
- Acquaint participants with the fundamentals of Roman material cultures of south-eastern Europe.
- Offer a crash-course in the methods and practices of modern archeology.
- Introduce participants to the technical side of keeping archeological record, conducting field surveys, keeping trench notebooks, organizing and inventorying finds, conservation on site, and filing field reports out of field journals.
- Introduce participants to the strategies for historical conservation of the material remains of the past, the methods of their incorporation in the living communities of the present.
ST. ATANAS CAPE - the birth of Byzantine Christian Art
Session dates:
Session 1: July 27 – August 3, 2013
Session 2: August 3 – August 17, 2013
Admission fee:
Full session 15 days - 1084 EUR
Application Deadline: May 15, 2013
6 academic credits
Historical background:
A seaside resort center, south of the big city of Varna. Five kilometers south lies another resort – Obzor. On St. Atanas Cape is being studied an early Christian complex with a basilica near the town of Byala. A few months ago three baptismal facilities – baptisteries were found. Baptistery 1 was built at the northern half of the narthex of the basilica. According to the shape of the pool it refers to the type "circle in a rectangle". It is a common type for the East and that is why its other name is Syrian" type. This is the only baptistery with such shape in Bulgaria so far. In the area where baptistery 1 was built, the narthex was decorated with wall-paintings and inscriptions. Among the larger ones there is a partly preserved image of a saint (perhaps – Jesus Christ). There are also two fragments with partly damaged inscriptions with names in Latin: MARI[A] and HІE[S]US. For the time being these are the earliest inscriptions containing the names of Holy Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ from the Bulgarian lands. Three years ago (in 2010), at the easternmost premise – a part of the three-section building lying north of the basilica, a cruciform baptistery was studied and in 2012 underneath was revealed the structure of another, earlier one. Baptistery 2Б (the later/upper one) has the form of a cross in the center of which a cylindrical pool with two steps at each of the four sides is designed. During the last stage of its use the size of the pool was small.
Go to ST. ATANAS CAPE - the birth of Byzantine Christian Art >>>
DIOCLETIANOPOLIS. The town of Emperor Diocletian.
Session dates:
Session 1: July 27 – August 3, 2013
Session 2: August 3 – August 17, 2013
Admission fee:
Full session 15 days - 1249 EUR
Application Deadline: May 31, 2013
6 academic credits
Historical background:
The town is a big modern SPA resort. There are thermal pools and hotels with SPA procedures and massages. The climate is excellent. The settlement was most probably founded by Emperor Diocletian. Earlier there had been a small Roman borough, most likely called Augusta. The entire fortification with walls up to 14 m high has been studied. The gates of the city and numerous jutting out towers have been revealed. Another fortress wall has been discovered to the north (proteichisma). Ten early Christian churches have been found. The foundations of a small amphitheatre have been discovered. Large private buildings, a thermal complex and other small baths.
PHILIPPOPOLIS - the crossroad of ancient civilisations
Session dates:
Session 1: August 3 – August 17, 2013
Session 2: August 17 – August 31, 2013
Admission fee:
Full session 15 days - 1319 EUR
Application Deadline: May 31, 2013
6 academic credits
Historical background:
The city was founded by Philip II of Macedon. During the Roman age it was the biggest city in the province of Thracia. During Late Antiquity it was the capital of the province of Thracia in the diocese of Thracia. Archaeological excavations are conducted in the modern city of Plovdiv almost all year round. The Roman theatre that seated approximately four thousand spectators and was raised under Emperor Trajan (ca. 114-117 AD) has been studied. A section of the Roman stadium which seated more than twenty thousand men has also been revealed. For many years the forum-agora of Philippopolis with multiple construction stages has been a subject of excavations. A section of the fortress wall with different construction stages has also been revealed. It was raised in 172 AD, judging by an inscription in both Latin and Greek. Buildings with polychrome mosaics and two large bathing facilities have been discovered. A synagogue has been revealed as well as late-antique martyria and a basilica. The water-main of the city taking its source from the Rhodope Mountains has been studied.
Go to PHILIPPOPOLIS - the crossroad of ancient civilisations >>>
COLONIA ULPIA TRAIANA RATIARIA excavations 2013
Session dates:
Session 1: June 29 – July 26, 2013
Session 2: August 3 - August 30, 2013
Admission fee:
Full session 30 days - 1272 EUR
Half session 15 days - 790 EUR
Application Deadline: May 15, 2013
6 academic credits
Historical background:
Ratiaria is considered one of the most important Roman and Early Byzantine centres at the Lower Danube. It was established in the 1st century AD as a Roman military camp and a civilian settlement which grew around it. In 106 AD the emperor Trajan founded five colonies, one of which is Ratiaria. Colonies were cities with highest degree of autonomy, each of which represents a model of Rome itself. The full name of the city is known from an inscription dated in 125 AD – COLONIA ULPIA TRAIANA RATIARIA. In the 2nd and 3rd century Ratiaria is prosperous city organized in Italian model. It is a great craft and trade centre - here lies an important customs point. In 4th century Ratiaria became the major Christian and episcopal center of the area.
